National Coupling Company, Inc.

Scott Stolle

Robert E Smith, Iii

Chris Roy

A female undersea hydraulic coupling member is equipped with a plurality of pressure-energized metal seals configured to seal between the body of the female member and the probe of a corresponding male hydraulic coupling member in response to ambient hydrostatic pressure and/or hydraulic fluid pressure. Pressure-energized metal seals may also be provided to seal between the body of the female coupling member and a removable seal retainer or seal cartridge. In one particular preferred embodiment, the pressure-energized seals are back-to-back metal C-seals separated by annular seal supports having a generally T-shaped cross section and retained on one or more shoulders in the body of the female member by a removable seal cartridge.

Undersea hydraulic coupling with multiple pressure-energized metal seals

A female hydraulic coupling member has a pressure-energized C-seal having an internal cavity that is positioned to seal between the body of the coupling and the probe of a corresponding male hydraulic coupling member inserted in the receiving chamber. A metal sleeve lines at least a portion of the receiving chamber to resist galling. The main portion of the sleeve has an inside diameter (i.d.) and an outside diameter (o.d.) with a first end of the sleeve abutting a shoulder in the central axial bore of the coupling member. An opposing second end of the sleeve has an annular, axial extension with a larger i.d. and a smaller o.d. than the main portion of the sleeve. At least a portion of the extension projects into the internal cavity of the pressure-energized C-seal so as to retain and position it.

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Stafford, TX, United States of America

Scott Stolle